A business seminar was held as part of the ESTO 2025 Networking Day
On July 1st the very first business seminar of its kind took place in Tallinn, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia, featuring Estonian Chambers of Commerce from around the world.
LinkedIn post - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia:
Today (01.07) , as part of the XIII Global Estonian Festival (ESTO 2025), we hosted the Global Estonians’ Business Network seminar in Tallinn. We explored how our Chambers of Commerce abroad can support Estonian companies and discussed market opportunities in Australia and Switzerland.
Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna opened the seminar by encouraging everyone to pursue new trade and cooperation opportunities and also look beyond the European markets.
Liina Viies, from our Global Estonians and Cultural Diplomacy Department, welcomed attendees and emphasized the importance of our diaspora: “Let’s make Estonia bigger, together!”
First Panel – Estonian Chambers of Commerce Abroad Moderated by Priit Kallakas, Head of Business Diplomacy, this session featured representatives from different Chambers: Liisa Pobul (Australia), Liisa Kaarid LLB, LLM (Canada), Irene Surva-Lehtonen (Finland, EIS | Enterprise Estonia), Mirjam Loertscher (Switzerland), Erik Puskar (USA, Maryland).
Key takeaway: If your company is eyeing a new market, connect with the local Chamber. Their networks, regulatory know-how, and cultural insights can save you time and money—and deliver crucial market feedback before major investments. Also they create trust in your company.
Fireside Chat – Swiss Market Entry led by Mirjam Loertscher, with insights from Kert Valamaa (Helmes) and Vassili Ljahhovets (Askend), both of them have chosen Estonian Chamber of Commerce in Switzerland membership as part of their market entry strategy. They agreed that local expertise is invaluable when expanding abroad.
Third Panel – Opportunities “Down Under” Moderated by our colleague Merle Tõnts, this discussion included: HE Mr Sridhar Ayyalaraju (Ambassador of Australia to Estonia), Kristjan Lind (Bikeep), Siim Kangur (Spacedrip) and Dr Jeff Jarvis (Monash University).
Biggest misconception according to the ambassador is the distance - yes, Australia is far away, but trade does happen. He urged to consider Australia as a business destination, highlighting especially Estonian hardware for the defence sector, digital ID and cyber security.
Dr Jarvis agreed, Australians together with the Swiss are one of the wealthiest people in the world. There is money and there is interest in Estonian and European products.
Bikeep and Spacedrip are great examples that even in a very distant market there are opportunities. The sizable Estonian community there also plays a key role in strengthening ties with Australia.
Thank you to our host, Carmen Pajuste, and to all the speakers, panelists and participants for an engaging day.
